Don't call me crazy

[EmptyB]

Hi Guys

 

So here's the thing. I've been overweight my whole life and was never into sport. I bought a bike during 2013, made an abortive attempt at the 94.7 (didn't finish.....not even close) and thought i would attempt it again in 2014.

 

Come January 2014 and I decided it would be fun to try a triathlon. I only started swimming in January 2014 and running whilst being overweight was never a good idea. Anyhow, during 2014 I completed two 5150's, a half ironman and about 4 half marathons and during early 2015 I took part in another half ironman and an ultra marathon. During all this I also lost a fair bit of weight, although still not being skinny.

 

But then life happened.... I had to get rid of the bikes and stopped training (apart from a few running races in the first half of 2015). With the training stopping, the weight came back and strangely ones general sense of wellbeing also disappears.

 

I've now decided that it is time to get things back on track. But, being someone who does things to the extreme I knew I would have to find something that would take me out of my comfort zone or else I will just stay where I am. So, a few days ago I saw the post about the Cullinan 2 Tonteldoos and I thought that that would be ideal, but the entries had closed so I put my name on the waiting list. Then yesterday it happened.....I got the e-mail stating that there was a spot open and that I could enter...... which I did.

 

One part of the equation, the race, is done. Now for the other part of the equation....I need accountability buddies otherwise not much will happen and I would have wasted my entry fee. This is where you guys come in. I'll post updates here regularly and maybe get some advice and encouragement as I go along. Maybe, just maybe I will be able to do this thing!

 

So here goes Update Number 1:

Weight: About 125kgs (This, I am advised, is about 40kgs overweight) Hoping that with the training this will reduce within the next 4 months)

 

Fitness: None, I think (I jogged 3km's two days in a row about three weeks ago and couldn't do it the third day due to my shins killing me and then stopping altogether)

 

Bike: None (I last rode a bike in January 2015 before I sold mine. I will have to get one, but I will only have a budget of about R7000 at the end of the month, so it will either me an entry level bike or something second hand. At this stage I prefer new so it will probably be entry level and then maybe upgrade next year.)

 

Determination: Plenty (I am not liking where I am at right now and I've seen what difference exercise can make

 

So that's the first update done. I'll update soon!

 

Prince

 

Also doing C2T....best of luck with your new "venture".

 

Best thing to do is just get started and do it NOW. From there on it gets easier....

[BaGearA]

All the best dude !!  You can do it! Just don't murder yourself with the training load please

[eccc whippet]

edit...

 

260 km mtb ultra...

 

R7000 budget for a bicycle...

 

125 kg...i take it you dont look like the fella in your profile pic.

 

Age ...i am assuming you are under 30?

 

maybe i can learn something from this thread.

[Imploder]

I just looked up this race....

 

unless you are not being entirely honest about your fitness levels (hopefully you are understating a lot) or you really are kidding yourself that you can prepare for that race in time

 

one day ultra marathon .....overweight unfit and untrained on a cheapie ...let someone else have your place and enter something more realistic

 

positive attitude wont get you through that ( I admire your spirit though but be realistic in your goals )

 

It pains me to say it, because I'm a glass half-full kind of guy. But I agree with BikeBloke, from Couch to a 260KM MTB ultra in 4 months is not realistic. Even going from the couch to a std MTB marathon in 4 months would be a stretch.

 

I think over training is going to be your biggest stumbling block. Your desire to get the mileage under your belt is going to cause overuse injuries and could possibly leave you burnt out.

 

We salute you, but..... YOU"RE CRAZY!

[Hacc]

Thanks Guys.

 

I know that there are people who always say that you should do 1000km running from Jan to May when doing Comrades. 

 

What type of mileage should I look at taking into account that I will be doing not much mileage during the early stages of prep during December?

 

I salute you for doing this! It will take serious effort and determination (especially over the December holidays)

 

Don't compare yourself with a Comrades runner. (BTW they run more than 1000km...)

 

All I can recommend is start with shorter distances. Start with 3/5km at a time until it feels comfortable and then gradually increase the kilometers.

Unfortunately, if you run while being overweight you don't enjoy it and you are prone to injury. 

There is no faster way to lose weight than running, so I am sure the more you run the better you will feel. (Obviously still eating healthy as well)

 

Good luck!!

[gogo@]

Go do it!!!

Add some gym time/ strength training to your schedule if you're not doing so already. Will help loads keeping you comfortable over that distance.

Second hand MTB you'll be fine. If you go hard tail, no problem, just be sure to put the fattest tyres on you can.

Best advice I offer from my own experience is: stay away from negative people!!

Crazy does it!

[EmptyB]

Go do it!!!

Add some gym time/ strength training to your schedule if you're not doing so already. Will help loads keeping you comfortable over that distance.

Second hand MTB you'll be fine. If you go hard tail, no problem, just be sure to put the fattest tyres on you can.

Best advice I offer from my own experience is: stay away from negative people!!

Crazy does it!

 

Agreed!!

[Hacc]

It pains me to say it, because I'm a glass half-full kind of guy. But I agree with BikeBloke, from Couch to a 260KM MTB ultra in 4 months is not realistic. Even going from the couch to a std MTB marathon in 4 months would be a stretch.

 

I think over training is going to be your biggest stumbling block. Your desire to get the mileage under your belt is going to cause overuse injuries and could possibly leave you burnt out.

 

We salute you, but..... YOU"RE CRAZY!

I think you should prove them wrong

 

I weighed 85kgs in 2005, lost a bit of weight thru going to gym and dieting. Started cycling in 2008 and gradually lost weight. In 2013 I have lost 25 kgs from exercising and dieting. 

From 2008 to 2013 I only cycled. I started running middle 2013. Did one 10, then one 21km and January 2014 a marathon. I was training for Two Oceans Ultra (which at that stage I thought was completely crazy). I finished Two Oceans and then got the stupid idea to do Comrades 6 weeks later (what did I have to lose?). I completed Comrades and have completed three so far... 

 

The mind is very powerful, and that is what we need the last 20% of any race.

So what do you have to lose? (...Except weight?)

[bikebloke]

Go do it!!!

Add some gym time/ strength training to your schedule if you're not doing so already. Will help loads keeping you comfortable over that distance.

Second hand MTB you'll be fine. If you go hard tail, no problem, just be sure to put the fattest tyres on you can.

Best advice I offer from my own experience is: stay away from negative people!!

Crazy does it!

 

ill assume you have done some ultra marathon races then ...

 

I have im not being negative for the sake of it im telling the op not to hurt himself or his self esteem by trying something that he isn't being realistic about

 

its not negativity its called realistic management of expectation and ability

 

crazy may cut for the argus or a 100k mtb ride but it doesn't for a 260 ultra

[Hennie VR]

Nah. If he starts with base training now and do it correctly over Dec and first part of Jan he will be well prepared for the race. Set goals for yourself and you will get there.

 

It will not be an easy ride but certainly Doable and even enjoyable.

 

I wish you the best of luck with the prep.....your going to do great on race day! 

[Mojoman]

Slow and steady....
I was over 110kg 5 years back.....under 85kg now...

Dont rush it and dislike it.....take your time and enjoy the changes!

['Dale]

Lekka man lekka!!!!!

 

     

[PrinceVlad]

ill assume you have done some ultra marathon races then ...

 

I have im not being negative for the sake of it im telling the op not to hurt himself or his self esteem by trying something that he isn't being realistic about

 

its not negativity its called realistic management of expectation and ability

 

crazy may cut for the argus or a 100k mtb ride but it doesn't for a 260 ultra

I take your point completely, but if I was realistic I wouldn't have done any of the events I have done in the past.

[gogo@]

ill assume you have done some ultra marathon races then ...

 

I have im not being negative for the sake of it im telling the op not to hurt himself or his self esteem by trying something that he isn't being realistic about

 

its not negativity its called realistic management of expectation and ability

 

crazy may cut for the argus or a 100k mtb ride but it doesn't for a 260 ultra

Does Trans Baviaans count? It is a bit shorter, I know.

[Imploder]

I take your point completely, but if I was realistic I wouldn't have done any of the events I have done in the past.

 

Realistically, if you had to go do a long ride this Sunday. What mileage do you think you could manage?

[bikebloke]

Does Trans Baviaans count? It is a bit shorter, I know.

 then you should know better

I bet you didn't weight that and arrive unfit after training for a few months to ride it on an entry level HT and rely on crazy